Ok, ok, I know it doesn’t have the same ring but it’s true. After all, the Frasers are, once again, moving amongst those who plot and scheme for their own devices. The only difference this time is the locale, the amount of money changing hands and the society around them. Oh and the food. The food is much different.

This episode, ‘Useful Occupations and Deceptions’, is indicative of the typical Diana Gabaldon novel that has numerous storylines and activities going on (no wonder there are Outlander Companion books). In this episode all of these storylines and activities seem to fall under a central theme. Thank goodness for that because, well, as a reader and viewer, it can become extremely tiring trying to keep everything straight.

As this episode opens, we see Claire dealing with her husband’s absence. Having been out all night in a French brothel getting cozy with a self-righteous, megalomaniacal bastard, Jamie returns to change so he can take care of his day job: the running of his cousin’s business, the only job that actually pays the bills. I’m sure that if the Frasers could’ve located a non-profit to finance them during their Jacobite endeavor they wouldn’t have relied upon his cousin but, sadly, there wasn’t really time. Or that many non-profits when you think about it.

Photo: Starz

Claire is clearly worried but sometimes it’s very difficult to read series!Claire. At least with book!Claire, we have the benefit of her thoughts. With this visual medium, I can’t tell what she’s more worried about: stopping the rebellion; her frivolous days spent with Louise and Mary; her husband’s late night forays; or their current lack of a sex life.

Meanwhile, lack of sleep and an overdose of cheap perfume and lively spirits later, Jamie is a man more than willing to talk about what he is doing and his opinion on those around him. Claire, making sure to point out just how that cheap perfume is making her morning sickness just that much worse, tries to get him to slow down and take a deep breath. Interesting because she’s the one pushing him into this covert operation in the first place. She becomes annoyed (but, thankfully, she doesn’t express this annoyance with Jamie) because he asks her if she’s going to tea with Louise then rushes out the door. It’s clear she doesn’t want the trappings of the world around her because she laments that they aren’t her ladies.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

We next cut to the aforementioned tea and cards, with Louise and Mary Hawkins. Poor thing; my heart goes out to the young girl so innocent. Paris is a hard city to remain innocent.

“I can’t marry a Frenchman!”

“Why, is there something wrong with Frenchman?”

“You don’t know about Frenchman?” To pose this question after Claire’s is just asking…no BEGGING…of Louise’s attention.

Photo: Starz

After all, if you’re in a drawing room, drinking tea and playing cards, gossip is the perfect after tea mint…or during tea mint…or before tea mint… Inadvertently, Little Mary Hawkins got Louise’s snarky attention.

“Your husband is so gentle and so kind. He would never… I know he doesn’t trouble you in…that way.” Oh Mary. You have no idea. He’s troubled her many, many times in that way and I can say just how glorious it was… **takes a drag on cigarette**

Ahem. Anyway…

“Mary, I believe we need to have a little talk.”

“Well, men don’t do that where I come from.”

Photo: Starz

“And where is that, the moon?” Oh Louise, we SO need to hang out. You and I must have an Outlander viewing party. Seriously. You bring the summer sausage and I bring the whisky and haggisfroglegs cheeseburgers. (Hey, I don’t live in France or Scotland. I want a cheeseburger!)

“Seaford. In Sussex.” CUE OMINOUS MUSIC. Well, in this case, dramatic zoom in. As we see all throughout the novels, people connect quite nicely and quite extraordinarily conveniently. Makes for a better flowing novel. Remember when Claire wondered where she heard Mary’s name?? Yeah, see, there’s this book she saw in that library back with that odious, and quite inconvenient, first husband of Claire’s.

Photo: Starz

What a pretty little bow the events are tied together with. Now it becomes…how does Mary end up with Black Jack Randall, especially when we saw her flirting with Alexander in Versailles? And…FINALLY…Claire realized that Black Jack Randall HAD to survive in order to continue family line. It’s ok Claire…we’re not all quick on the uptake.

Love Shack, That’s Where It’s At…

In dramatic fashion, Claire rushes home to find that Suzette, that girl so eager to be of help, suddenly neglects her position. Outraged, Claire barges into her room to find her trusty maid, um, servicing her husband’s godfather. Personally I say more power to you Murtagh. After all, you had to listen to the noises the newlywed couple made; you had to watch nipple dresses without touching; you had to overhear about third ribs and bare honeypots. Why shouldn’t he have a bit of the action himself? Suzette is quite willing and, from our viewpoint, able.

Photo: Starz

Well, this doesn’t sit well with the lady of the house and she storms off in embarrassment and shock. Murtagh appears in his rumbled and, quite frankly, yummy self, only to be castigated by Claire. I swear, Duncan Lacroix has an eyebrow that says more than all the flapping that Bonnie Chuckie says. Those tall, dark and silent types. To her benefit, Claire quickly apologizes and confesses that BJR is still alive.

Murtagh then has the best line of the entire show… “Jesus wept. Randall really is the Devil’s spawn.” Yes, yes he really is. Both instantly agree to not tell Jamie but…I have a feeling that won’t last long.

Meanwhile, as Claire is dealing with Downton Abbey down at the homestead, the man of the house is beating the crap out of Pepe LePew (or Minister of Finance Joseph Duverney but Pepe LePew is fitting) at chess. As they play Jamie plays the earworm and tells Pepe that the King Louis has no intention of helping the Jacobite cause. They can’t talk about it because, oddly enough, Duverney actually seems to hold his title with a bit of respect (seems a bit out of character but ok, I’ll go with it). Jamie suggests a meeting at the office…err…Maison Elise. After all, the men seem to get the most work done while getting lap dances from the hoors. Duverney, the love monster that he is, hasn’t been in awhile because his wife forbades him. The spirit is willing but Duverney’s flesh is oh so weak.

The Importance of Safe Sex (Or…How I got a job at the local hospital)

Like the good mistress that she is, Claire goes to Master Raymond’s shop to pick up something for Suzette. I should’ve known something bad was happening when the blood began weeping down my living room walls…

**cue ominous music**Photo: Starz

Le Comte is just leaving the apothecary shop. Well, this ruffles the mistress’s feathers and she calls Raymond out for cavorting with his enemy (hmmm…yeah Claire. It’s not like you’ve never done that. Hello Pot. I’m Kettle. Can I call you black?). Raymond, who really seems to know Claire better than she knows herself, reminds her that it’s sometimes necessary. (I feel I must say that, while the Comte is a bad man…he’s HAWT. I mean, seriously. Who can rock that powdered wig any better? Call it my soft spot for baddies.)

While discussing the best herb used for contraception, Claire admits that she’s becoming more conventional and she’s losing herself. Honestly? This seems like such a contrived reason just to segue to the hospital. Being conventional, in that time, isn’t a death sentence. Granted, it’s boring, trivial and unfulfilling but…Claire needs to think about what she’s trying to do. They’re trying to covertly stop a rebellion. As she later says, any little thing you can gleam could help the cause. I’m starting to get a bit peeved by Claire thinking she can do whatever she wants without having to follow her own rules. That’s just my opinion though; I’m hungry and ready for lunch so I may be a bit grouchy.

Hey, I Thought It Was Mountain Dew

Murtagh, with misgivings, takes Claire to the hospital mentioned by Raymond. There she meets with Mother Hildegarde, the matron of the charity hospital, and her faithful Cairn terrier, Bouton. Even Bouton’s name is awesome, really. Or maybe I just like the sound of it.

Anyway, Hildegarde, at first, thinks Claire is simply a lady of fashion but, once she diagnosed a woman with diabetes, she was given better tasks than the emptying of the bedpans she was doing when she first started. Incidentally, the tasting of the urine would’ve made me more squeamish had I not seen it done on a House, M.D. episode. See what you can learn from Hugh Laurie (that’s a whole ‘nother discussion)? The more you know.

I Shall Call Him Benedict Arnold

While Claire is off drinking urine and drawing blood (sounds like the beginning of some bad vampire fanfiction), Jamie is drinking and trying to negotiate a meeting between Chuckie and Pepe when…

**PLOT TWIST**

Photo: Starz

…it would seem that Chuckie has enlisted the aid of several wealthy and highly influential members of the British aristocracy with just enough money to broker his promised revolution. This, of course, being news to Jamie, tries to hide his droopy dog expression from Chuckie but Pepe, clearly surprised, intrigued and knowing he will have to speak with his young chess prodigy later, leans over and asks for more information. That might have been the end of it but when Chuckie claims that should France support the Scots in this rebellion and they are successful, England will ally with France. Well, that seems to overrule all of the reasons Pepe was siding with Jamie in the first place and, like the Benedict Arnold that he is, Pepe looks interested as he agrees to go to the King with his information. Jamie, just trying to save face, goes along with the happy feelings at the table though he’s scrutinizing as he’s watching the proceedings.

That night, clearly disturbed by what happened and not knowing what to do, Jamie goes home but can’t find Claire. It’s clear he wants to discuss matters with her but, as she suddenly feels useful, she’s all talk about lancing boils and drinking urine.

I must stop here and consider what is about to happen. It’s clear that an argument is about to break out. This couple, married mere months, really have no experience with BEING a couple, either with each other or with anybody else. Yes, Claire was married but the majority of her marriage was spent separated, fighting a war. They were separated before they could even start growing their marriage. And Jamie had never even had a courting relationship (that thing with Annalise doesn’t count because he dueled someone else in order to get the privilege of courting her) before he married Claire. Suddenly, they have to work together as a couple, these two extremely strong willed people, with different expectations and certainly different viewpoints, and because the marriage doesn’t have a strong foundation of communication between the two, expectations are left undiscussed. He wants to come home and talk about what was happening and she wants to go off, to do whatever she feels she needs to be fulfilled, with him being happy for her. I can see where both parties feel this way. And its certainly part of a healthy marriage, to be able to go off separately then return to themselves afterwards. But the right communication is so vital to the survival of the relationship.

Communication seems to be the central theme in this episode. The communication breakdown between newlyweds. The communication of a den of schemers. The lack of communication between society and young ladies about to be married. The non-verbal communication between from the insightful and the evil.

The observations of a lady’s maid and her mistress’s boudoir.

The relationship between Jamie and Claire is fractured, even further, for the time being.

The Artful Dodger

Jamie escapes to the Maison Elise, where he notices a servant boy with sticky fingers. Chasing him down, he learns his name is Fergus and Jamie suddenly has another idea.

Photo: Starz

“I’m not interested in your methods but I am interested in you.”

“Hey, I’m no whore.”

“I don’t want that either.”

“Then what?”

“I want to offer you a job, ye wee fool.”

I have a feeling this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship (I have read the other books but I will leave it right here). I can’t wait for more wee Fergus airtime and, when Claire wakes up find him in her house, the results are pure gold. I think he’s, rather reluctantly, already started to worm his way into her heart. It’s gotta be the huge eyes.

Claire, indignant at first when Jamie’s plan is explained, sees the merit of it. Of course, now it would be considered mail tampering and they could all be sent to Leavenworth. However, right now, that’s neither here nor there.

Mister Postman, Look and See, Is There a Letter in Your Bag for Me

As the days continued, Fergus and Murtagh perfected Fergus’s letter-stealing talents and the boys worked hard in deciphering what the letters said. However, as everything was in code it wasn’t easy to decipher. In one of the letters was what looked to be sheet music and Murtagh, having met Hildegarde when he took Claire to the hospital, mentioned her to Jamie.

Photo: Starz

The audience finally gets to know Bouton better…and I’m seriously loving this little guy. A terrier with the ability to sniff out infection, he is not only Hildegarde’s loyal companion but vital to the care of the patients. And he’s just pretty darned cute. After correctly diagnosing an infection, Jamie appears with the sheet music. Lying to Mother Hildegarde (tsk, tsk) about the nature of how he obtained it, she sat down to apply her musical prodigy knowledge.

Well, it just so HAPPENS that Johann Sebastian Bach is a good friend of hers and sends her music, err inventions, all the time. (The world of Outlander is really, REALLY small, isn’t it?? **SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ ALL THE BOOKS….it is about to get ridiculously smaller down the road). Isn’t this just convenient? So, because Mother Hildegarde spotted the key changes, they were able to apply the key changes to decipher it.

It would seem the little English worm was correct… £40,000 will be made available to the cause. Not enough to fund a war but enough of a bargaining chip to get more. At the end of the letter is an S which Jamie assumes is a signature…

…unless…

BINGO.

Sandringham. The little turd keeps popping up when you least expect, or want, him. They decide to throw a party to get everybody together. A scheme, if you will. But guess what that means?? That means that Sandringham will spill the news about Black Jack. Murtagh urges Claire to tell Jamie but, of course, in order to keep the suspense, she doesn’t communicate (there’s that central theme again) as they celebrate their discovery of the plan.

I have a very bad feeling that Jamie will learn of Randall’s continued existence the hard way.

Rather, nobody SHOULD put Jamie in a corner, but that is what has happened. I don’t think there is a soul on this planet that can convince me otherwise, but many will try. It is, once again, time to give you my Outlandish Opinion, and please remember that it is my own, and I am entitled to it.

How was your Droughtlander? I hope all went well for you. Had some great things happen but I’m here now, ready for the season to continue.

How about that episode? Clearly season 2 is a whole different world from season 1 and, given the name ‘Not in Scotland Anymore’, the entire episode is centered on the Frasers’ mission, coupled with their fish-out-of-water experiences, viewpoints and reactions. Even the modern woman from the future, Claire is rattled by the things around her, but let me back up here a moment. Look at our heroine: a modern girl from a time more conservative. The world of the 1930s and 40s was depressed and downtrodden; the only hope for a free future was to beat a little dictator with a terrible mustache and even worse tyrannical arm salute. She’s now thrown into a society that puts the excess in excessive…so much so that it’s considered a privilege to watch the constipated King of France try to take a dump (but more on that later). Wardrobes were buttoned up and cleavage was shown only at its bare minimum. And our hero? Scotland is cold and wool was tous les jours (everyday). In Scotland, less (as in clothing, inhibitions, etc.) was certainly a practice that was morally frowned upon.

But less, in the meaning I took above, is certainly NOT normal here in the excessive world of Versailles. Less is encouraged, smiled upon, thrown at the visitor. Less is expected. For JHRC sake, it’s in their tourist’s brochure.

Just another Tuesday Night at the Capitol…. Photo: Starz

But let’s start at the very beginning. For those of us living vicariously through this book and/or series, the beginning certainly had promise as it looked like the Frasers were starting to get past their traumatic bump in the road. I was watching this episode for the first time at a viewing party on Saturday night. Before the episode began, we started a game that involved passing around a giant summer sausage…

…every time the Frasers got hawt and heavy, whether it be kissing or a visitation by an actual sausage (Fraser, summer or otherwise). The beginning held promise as the sausage began its intrepid route around the room amidst giggles, fanning of faces, the gulping of liquid courage and the stroking of said giant sausage. Then…suddenly… the sausage was dropped amidst gasps of horror and shouts of ‘ewww’… Those scenes were hard to watch so I won’t post a picture.

It would seem Jamie isn’t over Wentworth, and he shouldn’t be. This series is doing a thorough treatment of the lasting effects of BJR’s abuse on James Fraser, a Highland Warrior who hadn’t, before, seemed to take any guff from anyone. Even when BJR first beat him, Jamie was defiant and wouldn’t let him have any power over him. When we first met Jamie, he was holding his dislocated shoulder, and not making much fuss. The infirmed men I’ve known have never been that quiet. They are babies when they’re hurt, the whole lot of them. However, now we see a frailty that a warrior tries hard to keep hidden. He’s not supposed to be human; he’s supposed to be tougher than this. Right? He really is human and the struggle is very real.

The next morning Claire, the feminist forward thinker that she is, sees to dealing with servants who, rather violently, insist on making her life better. This, admittedly, was hard for me to watch as Claire doesn’t quite seem to understand that the poor servant girl lives to take care of those above her. I, myself, can’t understand what the brouhaha is all about. If a servant is clamoring to make my life better by waiting on me hand and foot, I’m not above saying no. I mean, I WANT to understand where Claire is coming from; she certainly didn’t have servants where she comes from, but, really, just let her do her job. It seems to give the girl happiness, and purpose. We see a lot of that stubbornness that makes Claire who she is. Unfortunately, stubbornness ALWAYS comes with its share of downfalls, and Claire simply comes off as rude, and condescending. Compassion, and understanding would probably be much better served in this situation.

Photo: Starz

As our heroine makes her way through the city, the contrast between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ is stark. Only those with money had a carriage; the peasants walked. This beautiful Dior-inspired ensemble is a harsh reminder of the barriers between the groups, and she earns a lot of curious looks as she steps into the apothecary shop.

In the search for a remedy for her husband’s nightmares, Claire goes to Master Raymond’s Apothecary shop.

Photo: Starz

Remembered fondly in the books as the man with the frog face, and a crocodile hanging in his shop, the scene is set for an interesting alliance down the road. While she calls him out for his hoodwinking of the elite, he calls her out for being more than she presents. He’s always been just a wee bit intuitive and, perhaps, magical, and that is the point, I think. He’s a man of many mysteries, some of which are obvious but some of which aren’t.

While Claire goes to get medicine, her husband, and his godfather decide to use the genteel gardens of Paris to practice their swordplay, and work on his injured hand. Boys will be boys I suppose, though I can’t help but wonder if it’s a deliberate middle finger to the customs of the upper crust. After all, they didn’t HAVE to choose the gardens where women twirl their delicate parasols, and the men make sweeping, grandiose gestures with their walking cane (really, did men NEED those? Or were they as useful as the women’s parasols?).

When they return from their excursion Claire presents a letter from Cousin Jared. It seems that Prince Charles Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie (anybody else here having trouble describing him as ‘bonnie’?),…would like a confab at the Maison de Madame Elise. Let’s just say it ain’t no hair salon. Claire isn’t that impressed…

Photo: Starz

Photo: Starz

…but it’s off to the hoorhouse we go. Oh, pardon me, brothel. After all, We Aren’t in Scotland Anymore (as the title continues to remind us); it seems that, in Paris, harlots, whores, prostitutes, ladies of the night aren’t referred to in such bawdy manner, and that’s one of the main themes of this episode. Dress up the lewdness, the scheming, the bigotry, the utter hypocrisy with money, fripperies or, in the case of the Bonnie Prince Chuckie-Boy (excuse my disrespectfulness there), ‘God’s will’ (that’s rich, coming from a conversation in a hoorhouse), it’s simply ok.

If it comes from an utter fool…with a silver tongue and a large bankroll…he’s still a fool but his foolish words carry some weight. I just wish that the people had seen through him. After all, Chuck didn’t give two figs about the people of Scotland; he simply wanted the title, the power, the prestige, and the all-mighty coin that comes with the job. But hey? Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.

So, amidst the half-naked women, the monstrous dildos for buy or rent (do they have a layaway plan? What kind of fines do they charge if you’re late in returning it?), the sudden fear of their wives showing, and just, well, BAD makeup on the hoors, Chuckie waxed poetic about how it was by divine order that he be on the thrown of a country he’s never even set foot in. Jamie and Murtaugh’s pleas for the man-child to think about whether this is truly a good idea fell on deaf ears as Chuckie-boy claimed, over and over, that God demands a Catholic ruler. His obstinence truly puts children to shame.

But Daddy, the big, bad Scottish men are picking on me!! Photo: Starz

It’s absolutely clear to the viewer that Jamie isn’t buying anything this man says but, given his aversion to the redcoats and Claire’s pushing him, it’s enough for him to continue trying to reason with this joker. It’s clear Jamie trusts his wife, but I’m wondering if he wishes there was another way around this. I know I would.

Murtagh: “The man is a blockhead, a dangerous one at that.” That he is.

Jamie: “I wouldn’t trust the Prince with Lallybroch’s vegetable patch, let alone the fate of Scotland.” Don’t worry, Jamie, he’d never get his own hands dirty. That’s why he’s ready to send YOU and yours so HE can sit on the throne.

Meanwhile, like the good mother/wife/puppeteer, Claire is encouraging them to not lose heart; they have time to get done what is needed, but first they need to go around the Prince since, well, he’s a blockhead, and decide they need an invitation to the court of Versailles to see the Royal Minister of Finance, Monsieur Joseph Duverney.

Enter…the self-absorbed yet warm and caring woman, Louise de la Tour, Marquise de Rohan. Apparently, she had become a particularly good friend to Claire but, given the fact that the series jumps time like a grasshopper skips the earth, we missed how they first met or even became friends in the first place. The whole effect is jarring, but leads to one of my favorite series of scenes in the entire episode, perhaps in all of the series.

Photo: Starz

Claire Sermonne, playing Louise, is refreshing, feisty, and she captures the pampered woman to a tee. Poor guy waxing her though…I laughed whenever she slapped him.

My heart went out for little Mary Hawkins; poor girl was taught some pretty embarrassing things that day at Louise’s.

She’s a genuine breath of fresh air, an innocent amongst the jaded. Poor thing, having to wed the older gentleman with all the, um, warts.

Mary: Um…I didn’t sign up for this…Photo: Starz

That night, after gaining an invitation to Versailles (isn’t THAT a coincidence?), Claire introduces Jamie to a bit of Paris in their bedroom by way of a bikini wax or, as he said, “Your honeypot! It’s bare!” Now his reaction slightly deviates from the book. Normally I don’t mind some deviation; I understand why it has to happen, but this deviation changes a fundamental thing about Jamie that I love. He’s surprised that she did it, sure, but soon becomes sexually bold with her. What I’ve noticed about this series is how quickly Jamie picked up sex, and threw away his inhibitions. I realize he seems to be a quick study, but in the book he is shocked, and surprised that his wife would deforest his favorite honeypot.

In the show, though, he is bold, and the innocence from the book seems is gone. I happen to like Jamie’s innocence because he still displays it, and that’s despite everything that’s happened to him or how old he is. That’s part of his charm. The series has him losing so much of that innocence. It’s a shame, really, and it’s a shame that just as he was really getting into the feel of his wife’s bare honeypot, the trauma of BJR comes back, and he’s unable to complete the task.

This is one of numerous times in the episode that he’s unable to follow through. I absolutely agree that they are doing the right thing by addressing the trauma, but how about in a way where it doesn’t feel like it’s bogging down the story? By constantly going back to the trauma we know, and are fully conscious that he’s dealing with. There’s a difference of glossing over it (not addressing it at all) and using the trauma effectively throughout the episode. I feel like the constant reminder is being forced on us. We don’t need to see several attempts at lovemaking to realize what he’s dealing with. This is a visual medium, perhaps we can have more subtly without sacrificing the rhythm of the episode?

Anyway, they make their way to Versailles and…out comes THE Red Dress.

Didn’t Julia Roberts and Richard Gere already do this?Photo: Starz

“Are…you…mad woman? I can see every inch of you, right down to your third rib.” Oh Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Remember you’re…

Poor, poor Jamie. He doesn’t know what to do, and it’s quite adorable. It’s clear he can’t make her change, she’s so proud of the dress she helped design, but dear heavens, he doesn’t want to share her. In resignation he sighs, and lets her have her way, much to the amusement of Murtagh.

Photo: Starz

With the help of CGI, we get a lavish party, complete with powdered wigs, large jewelry and, oh yes, the nipple dress. Of course, since the picture has been posted so many places I won’t share it again. You know which dress I mean.

But, don’t get Claire Fraser wrong, she’s there on a mission. Just when we think that, maybe, this will be all work and nothing interesting, a woman exclaiming something in French nearly tackles Jamie to the ground.

#Awkward. Photo: Starz

#ReallyREALLYAwkward Photo: Starz

Seems our hunky virgin had his eye on someone before meeting Claire, and it would seem that this virgin had dueled for her heart. The awkward explanation is wonderful in its uncomfortableness. Hmmm…Claire’s hubby surprises her everyday.

Who knew witnessing the dressing of the King meant watching him attempt to take a dump? I hear it’s a privilege.

Photo: Starz

Of course, given that nowadays some spouses can’t be in the same bathroom as their significant other is sitting on the throne, kind of puts a wrench in the whole openness in marriage, doesn’t it? But boy, is it a good thing Jamie’s there to recommend the parritch. We all need a bit of roughage.

Once again I look to Murtagh for comic relief: “Only in France does the king need an audience to take a shite.” I’m really quite surprised the men weren’t taking bets on when the king will ‘shite’. It’s kind of disappointing, really. I would’ve loved to have seen who won.

Who do I spy over there with little Mary Hawkins? He doesn’t look old…or warty…

This dude looks familiar… Photo: Starz

As Claire leaves to take the air (not that I blame her…those bitties who were talking smack about her needed to be thumped across the visage) Louise finds just the man they are looking for, Duverney. When she tells him that the woman in the red dress is looking for him, he perks up like a kid in front of a candy store, wipes the drool from his chin, and rushes out of the ballroom. After all, I’m sure he’s anxious to inspect her stunning pair of…um…earrings. He finds her sitting in a rather large gazebo.

I’m surprised she was able to resist him. After all, the first words he speaks to her are that her prayers have been answered now that he was there. I don’t know why Claire was appalled; what self-respecting woman wouldn’t find that charming? I mean, look at him! Rawr!

Have no fear…Pepe LePew is here!!Photo: Starz

As he leans into her breasts, he says, “Instead, let me worship at your…” looks down… “…feet.”

“Come to me, my little mouse. Let me hear you…. SQUEAK!”

I mean, come on ladies, who wouldn’t want to hear THAT from the guy kneeling at your feet?

Apparently Jamie didn’t take a liking to it, because he pushed the unsuspecting French Don Juan into the drink, causing him to lose his rather impressive wig in the process. They make their apologies in front of the fire, and I realized that Pepe, without the wig, is quite a nice looking fellow. Shame he’s a creeper.

Just when they kissed, and made up with Pepe, the Duke of Sandringham arrives to spoil everyone’s night. Of course he’s just so happy to see Jamie, though the sentiment is hardly returned. It’s clear he can’t escape the Frasers or Murtagh. Needless to say the Frasers just want to get out of there, but yet one more surprise turns up.

Where do I know you from again?? It’s on the tip of my tongue…Courtesy: Starz

Holy Steaming Bowl of Bran-Filled Parritch Batman! It’s Black Jack’s younger brother, Alexander!! Well, isn’t this just a happy coincidence? As one should never, EVER, attend a party without bringing a gift first, he informs Claire that…you got it, his brother is still alive. Needless to say, she didn’t like her gift.

Now becomes the dilemma, tell her husband that his abuser is alive or let him find out for himself?

The promoting of the second season of Outlander continues with Sam Heughan on Live with Kelly & Michaeal…and Fred! I have to say that Fred is so damn funny, and is definitely a great co-host! I love how he told the Heughligans to calm down!

Image courtesy of Outlander

My favorite line from the show today was Sam admitting that he was not, in fact, a Ginger! Of course, every Outlander fans knows this, but I loved how he described his original hair color. I have the same color hair (though my mom described it as dishwater blonde) so I think I should describe my hair in the same fashion. My only hope is that it will sound as good coming from me as it did from Sam!

I am not a gingy, I’m a dirty, dirty blonde- Sam Heughan

Cue Fred fanning himself! It was a short interview, but well worth a viewing or two. If you have not already watched the first episode of the second season, you better hop to it. It seems there might be a contest of some kind as to how many times a fan can watch it before it “officially” airs tomorrow night on Starz! I know a few friends who have watched it about 10 times! I am still on one viewing, and that is because I am processing it still! Enjoy the video!!

I know you all must think that we disappeared, but I assure you that we did not really go anywhere. We just took a vacation of our own when the show did the same. As you may or may not know, I take care of my mother so any kind of break for me is very welcome. I felt confident that our affiliate sights would keep fans abreast of what is going on in the world of Outlander.

Image Courtesy of Starz

We will be back with our weekly reviews, and anything else that catches our fancy having to do with this fandom. We operate quite differently from the other blogs, so you never know what we will post about, we are unpredictable that way.

I actually feel a little rusty posting about Outlander right now, but I will get back in the swing of things soon. I will sharpen my skills with the news, or reminder really, that Sam Heughan will be on Live with Kelly and Michael (with co-host Fred Savage)! I know that there is no way on God’s green earth that you could every forget, but I had to do my civic duty and remind you anyhow. That is just how we Outlander fans roll!

The cast, writers, and producers have been on quite the PR tour for the second season of Outlander, and I really could not tell you when it will let up. At the beginning of this week alone, they had the premiere on Monday night, with a panel at the Television Academy the very next day. I don’t have to tell you what all they have done to promote the show this week,because you are Outlander fans, and you already know! I am just here to remind you not to forget about tomorrow! I will be back with some highlights of the week in New York, and whatever other news is going on in the crazy world that is our Outlander fandom!

I think I will watch Through A Glass, Darkly again! My fellow blogger, the Snarky one will be here with a review of the first episode of this second season, so watch this space!!

I like to have creative, interesting titles for my blog posts, to catch a reader’s eye, ye ken? This particular title is a play on words from, of course, Dirty Dancing. I realize that I probably should have written this piece during the #EmmysForOutlander campaign, particularly during the blitz on social media. I think now is an appropriate time as well.

Outlander invaded San Diego Comic Con in a big way again for this year’s convention. As per usual with the Con, I lived vicariously through my friends and other blogger’s, along with millions of other fans who could not attend. I don’t know about anyone else but by the end of last night, I was exhausted and I was not even there. Continue reading →

We are in day two of Comic Con in San Diego and I have seen so many pictures on my Facebook wall and my Twitter timeline. There are so many things going on #SDCC2015 that it’s almost impossible to keep up with it all, especially if so many different things grab your attention.

Outlandish Stats

134,761 Hits

Main Banner Made by Nymerias
Episode Review banner made by Ttelle
Unless stated otherwise in a blog post or a Tweet, all the blends I make are from screencaps that I get from one of my affiliates Outlander Online

NetGalley Member

Advertisements

I’m On Twitter

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Through the Stones

DISCLAIMER

This fan site is in no way affiliated or linked with "Outlander" show, cast, their management or anyone affiliated with the show. This website was created for entertainment value only. If there is any content on this website that you feel violates your personal property/copyright, please let us know and it will promptly re-credited or removed.

Images and information on this site are not posted for commercial gain, and are used under the 107 Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use Law 107. All images and information are property of their respectful owners. This site does not claim any copywrights, no infringement intended.